Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 308, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1920 — CLARA TO PLEAD “NOT GUILTY” [ARTICLE]

CLARA TO PLEAD “NOT GUILTY”

Lawyer Gives Outline of Mrs. Hamon's Defense in Murder TriaL MMVES AT ARDMORE, OKU, Attorney Donio* That Chant Loft Scana of Crima aa Fugitive— Otrta Vows to HaaJ Farants' Hearts. ' Ardmore. Okla.. l>ac. 25.—Mrs. Clata Smith Hamon will enter a plea of “not guilty to the charge of murder Hied against her In connection with the death of Jake L. Hamon. Republican national committeeman, whan the case comae up for trial here hi the Janaary term of court. J. H. Mathers of the law firm of Mathers A Coakley, counsel for the a censed woman, made that announcement In a signed statement issued berg, reviewing the Incidents connected with the Hamon case. •*By the evidence which we have In our bands, I can only feel assured that she will be acquitted, whatever the Jury,” the statement declares. “Clara Smith Hamon did not flee from Ardmore as a fugitive from justice. It was not until she had touched El Past* that she learned of MrrHamon s death. She did not dream that Mr. Hamon would die; none of us thought so at the time.” To Atone to Family. Consecration of her future energies to atoning to her family for the sorrow she has brought It. and determination never again to waste another hour of her life, were avowed by Mrs. Clara Smith Hamou. who arrived here to answer a charge of murder In connection with the death of Jake I* Hamon.

In an interview with the correspondent lasting nearly an hour. Mrs. Hamon spoke earnestly on religion philosophy, psyelilc research, art. fancy work, and most earnestly of all her Impressions of Mexico, where sht stayed throe weeks before giving her self to the custody of Sheriff Buck Garrett of Ardmore, in Juarez Wednes day night. She avoided discussing the chargt against her, and mentioned Hamon’t name only ouce. First Talk Sine# Surrender. The Interview took place In Mrs Hamon’s stateroom, in the presence of Charles A. Coakley. one of her at torneys. and Sliertff Garrett. It wat the first interview granted by hei since her surrender. “I have just beeu reading some ol the many letters I have received from my dear friends.” Mrs. Hamon began pointing to a package of papers lying on the extension table before her. “The sentiments express* d in then are so sweet aud move me so rauct that with my present limited streugt! I can only read a few at a time. “I wanted to tell you of the wonderful friends 1 had iu Chihuahua City They were deeply religious, though uoi orthodox. They mothered and fatheret me as if I were a child. The> brought me flowers and even toys, ant they would tuck me to bed. Groat Spiritual Lesson. “When 1 sought to thank them as nay benefactors, they protested that thane was only one benefactor, anc whatever they did was done by Him through them as friends. It was t> great sptritjjgl lesson aud experience #or me —that visit to Chihuahua City “Aa I told them before I left, before I entered Mexico. 1 hated Mexicans but I left it loving them, although i saw much of the beautiful religion 1 could not adopt for myself. They be Hove'in spirits. Although Ido not saj that this belief is wrong. I know thai I need my own level-headed religion—for I have one of my own. I am tot much afraid of myself to let mysell dabble in the occult. “When I get hack to Mexico —anc I intend to go there again to rest— I shall teach my friends something ot ventilation, of cleanliness and hy gtene.” No Plans for Present When asked whether she ever pected to resume her secretarial ca reer, Mrs. Hamon replied: “I have no plans. I know only that ;I shall devote myself to making amends to my family for the suffer log I have brought on them. I shall , never ‘fi" waste even an hoar ol precious those left me.